Michipicoten: History and Nature Experiences

Michipicoten is connected to an early history at the confluence of two rivers. Wawa also offers opportunities to enjoy nature and outdoor activities: at Wawa Lake, swimming and paddling take center stage, while winter brings cross-country skiing and snowmobile routes. You can tailor your stay to the mix of water, activity, and regional history you’re looking for.

A Trading Post at the Confluence of Two Rivers

The Michipicoten Post was established in 1725 in a clearing on the opposite bank of the river. It was located where the Michipicoten River meets the Magpie below Silver Falls. Its position at the confluence is an integral part of the trading post’s history, bringing the river landscape and historical heritage together as themes for a trip. If you’re particularly interested in the area’s past, this offers a specific historical point of connection rather than a general account of the region.

Wawa Lake: Shoreline, Swimming, and Paddling

There are several ways to spend time by the water at Wawa Lake. The waterfront promenade has benches and information panels about the region’s natural history and the boreal forest at its beginning. This lets you combine time at the lake with learning about the landscape. Lion’s Beach is a quiet swimming spot with gentle water and a sandy shore. If you’d rather get out on the water yourself, the calm conditions at Wawa Lake are suitable for families, beginners, and a leisurely paddling trip. The lake is just a few steps from the town centre.

The historic Michipicoten River also offers paddling experiences. Together with the lake, it gives you another way to shape your stay: Wawa Lake is all about calm water and the swimming area, while the river is an additional paddling destination in its own right. This distinction can help you decide what to focus on during your trip without packing every activity into a single outing.

Cross-Country Skiing, Snowmobiling, and Hiking

Wawa has more than 10 km of groomed cross-country ski trails, spread across seven loops and routes. You can choose between skate skiing and classic cross-country skiing. Access is at Wawa Municipal Airport on Highway 101, opposite the Wawa Goose and the Tourist Information Centre.

Wawa is also on OFSC snowmobile trails and provides access to thousands of kilometres of scenic, groomed routes in the Algoma region. This is a distinct way to experience the region in winter and is very different from cross-country skiing on the trails. Another activity is the easily accessible local Magpie High Falls to Silver Falls Trail. Cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, and hiking are therefore clearly defined options for different kinds of trips.

Markets and Getting Your Bearings in Wawa

The Wawa Fall Fair takes place every September. The programme includes, among other things, a baking competition, a farmers’ market, a barbecue stand, and craft vendors. If you’re travelling in September, you can include the fair in your plans as a seasonal event. The Goose Nest Market hosts several markets each year, featuring a variety of vendors. Both offer a chance to explore local markets alongside the region’s nature and outdoor activities.

The Tourist Information Centre in Wawa can help you plan activities and provides information about attractions and events. Maps and brochures are also available there. At the intersection of the Trans-Canada Highway and Highway 101, the Wawa Goose stands on a large rock to welcome visitors. These places can be useful points of reference when planning activities in Wawa.

Explore More Places

If you’d like to explore other places too, here are more destinations: Thessalon, Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma Mills, Iron Bridge, Goulais River, Elliot Lake, Bruce Mines and White River.

For the broader travel overview: Algoma District.